California with flair, but without a car!
The 24, 48 or 72-hour passes are convenient…you don’t need a reservation, and pass holders can board at any one of 70 stops in the city. You can have 4 looped journeys, the buses can be used to see everything the city has to offer, from the Hollywood walk of fame to Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, and Paramount Studios…even out to Santa Monica and Venice Beach!
It’s nearly 50 years since the summer of love, and they’re still flocking to California, and to the beautiful city of San Francisco. You may associate the city with more adult themes (I’m thinking flower power and the delights of the Castro area), but it really is a great place to visit with the family
Everyone will tell you to go to Fisherman’s Wharf and visit Alcatraz…but is that the best that San Francisco has to offer? If you don’t have the luxury of 3 months planning before you go, and many don’t, you might even be able to visit Alcatraz without forking out a small fortune.
How about hopping on a bike? You get riding lessons, a route, and a small group of up to 12 of you go off into the city. After a spell on the road, you hit the pavement (not literally) running alongside the bay, with the water on your right. You can experience fine art, and stop for photos at the famous warming hut, before a slightly steeper climb. It’s so worth it, as at the top, you reach the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge. Be warned, the cross winds can be fierce but you’ll make it to the other side before you descend towards Sausalito and take the ferry back across the water. The round trip takes about 5 hours. You’ll create wonderful memories, and really bond with the kids (aged 10 and up).
Also take the Golden Gate Sightseeing cruise from Fisherman’s wharf, sailing around Alcatraz, with fantastic views of the bridge, the bay, and city.
Other highlights include Madame Tussauds and the San Francisco dungeon. Of course, (as with any major city) there is the open top bus tours, which is the best way to see the city in a short space of time. You can have all these included in the City pass or the Go San Francisco Card, each of which offers tourists a great deal, with a range of attractions and transport options, brought together on one card.
Once you get off the bus, you find the true highlight….taking a stroll up and down the streets made famous by Dirty Harry and Blue Jasmine. Walk down Lombard street, where 8 sharp turns are said to make it the most crooked street in the world!
So if you fancy a trip without your driving license or a map of parking lots, give me a call, I can incorporate all the above passes and tours into any US package.